Hollow wall construction



A ril 3, 1962 N. NELSSON HOLLOW WALL CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 29, 1958 April 1962 N. NELSSON 3,027,605

HOLLOW WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed April 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T :1 n t K I 38a. 4 wTu u.

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IJnited States Patent nois Filed Apr. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 731,695 2 Claims. (Cl. 20-4) This invention relates to an improved hollow wallconstruction and more particularly relates to a hollow wall construction which is constantly maintained in a sturdy condition of assembly.

The erection of hollow wall partitions has previously been a costly and time-consuming operation. The construction of such walls usually entailed the fastening of wallboards to supporting studs by driving nails or other similar fastening means into the studs. Such a method of erection resulted in marring the appearance of the partition faces and required expensive finishing operations for purposes of covering the depressions left by the securing means to provide smooth surfaces. It is apparent that in large housing projects in particular a simple and sturdy partition construction in which such finishing operations may be eliminated would be of great value. Also, in large office buildings or the like a partition construction which may be readily erected and disassembled readily and easily is in great demand.

It is an object of this invention to dispense with the need for securing means for purposes of securing wallboards or the like to supporting stud members.

It is another object of this invention, therefore, to provide a wall or partition construction requiring no finishing operations occasioned by exposed fastening means employed for securing wallboards to supporting studs.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a partition construction employing wallboards which is not only capable of being readily erected but in addition may be readily demountable.

It is another object of this invention to provide a hollow wall or partition construction which is simple in design employing a minimum number of parts and yet so sturdy in construction as to remain rattle-free indefinitely.

Further and additional objects will apear from the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a hollow wall construction is provided which comprises a plurality of wallboard units arranged in abutting edge-t0- edge coplanar relation to form parallel, spaced courses of wallboard units which define a hollow wall-type partition. 1

Each abutting edge of a wallboard unit is provided with an elongate recess or pocket running the length of such edge. Spaced stud members of general H-shaped crosssectional configuration are interposed between the wallboard courses and retain such courses in spaced substantially parallel relation. Each of the studs interposed between the wallboard courses has a length substantially less than the height of the wallboards engaged thereby. Each stud comprises a central web portion interconnecting two transversely disposed flange sections. The opposed segments of each flange engage the corresponding wallboard slots and effect interlocking between each H-stud flange segment and the wallboard members.

Opposed top and bottom portions of such partition, which extend beyond the end limits of the stud, are engaged by runner members. The upper runner may be fixedly secured to a supporting ceiling or may comprise a cornice if the partition extends only part way to the ceiling, as may be the case when partitions are employed having glass panels incorporated in the upper portion thereof.

' 10 identifies a partition which incorporates therein glass 3,027,605 Patented Apr. 3, 1962 It has been found that by appropriately dimensioning the stud web portion and elements of the runner members which engage the upper and lower edge portions of the wallboards, a flexing of the wallboard edge portions, extending beyond the end limits of the stud, will occur and thus a binding engagement exists between the wallboards, and the stud and runner members.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference will now be given to the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a hollow wall partition which incorporates therein glass panel members;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a partition construction formed in accordance with this invention which extends from the floor to the ceiling and showing the fiexure of the upper and lower edge portions of the wallboard courses;

. FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modified form of cornice construction which may be employed in the construction illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but on a reduced scale in which the illustrated partition employs a modified ceiling runner;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a stud member employed in the subject construction; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 88 of FIG. 1.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, the numeral panel members 12. As is seen more clearly from the sectional view of FIG. 2, the glass panels 12 engage a 'holder 14 which is secured to the central longitudinal portion of a supporting cornice member 16. The cornice member overlies the upper edge portion of a hollow wall 18, the latter being formed by laminated wallboard members 20, arranged in abutting edge-to-edge relation, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, so as to define spaced parallel courses. As is more clearly seen in FIG. 4, each of the members 20 comprises two panels 20a which are secured together by means of an interposed layer of adhesive 22. Rounded corner portion 24 of each panel 20a and the omission of adhesive at the edge portions of the panels assist in defining a longitudinal slot or recess 26 in the vertical edge of each member. The double thickness of the paper facing 19 enveloping the panel cores in combination with the adhesive layer 22 between the panels form the inner portion of the recess .26. It is feasible that a single thick wallboard may be employed and a recess milled or otherwise formed in the edge central portion.

Interposed between the opposed courses of abutting members 20 are stud members 28 which have a general H-shaped cross-sectional configuration and are of such a length that the end limits thereof are spaced a substantial distance from the upper and lower edges of the partition, see FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6. The reason for the shortened length of each stud will be discussed more fully hereinafter. Each stud 28 is provided with a web 30, which has formed integrally therewith'at opposed longitudinal edges, transversely extending flange portions 32, as seen more clearly in FIG. 7. These flanges interlock with the wallboard members 20 by being snugly receivable within .the recesses 26 formed in the vertical'edges of each panel.

of the two innermost panels 20a.

edges of portions 38 and rest flush on afloor or other supporting surface F and are secured thereto by means of nails 40 or other equivalent securing means; the latter being spaced at desired intervals along the length of each floor-engaging portion 39 of the floor runner 34.

Base or trim plates 42 are provided which may be secured to the lower edges of the wallboard members by means of attachment clips 44, the latter being spaced at desired intervals along the lower edge of the wallboard courses and secured thereto by means of through-boltand-nut assemblies 46, see FIGS. 2, 3, and 6. It will be noted that the through-bolt of each assembly 46 traverses the hollow wall at a point above the floor runner 34 and beneath the lower end of stud 28 so as to avoid engagement with the same. It is also feasible that discrete screw members may be employed for each attachment clip 44 and the same secured and anchored to the adjacent angleportion 38 of the floor runner.

As previously noted in FIG. 2, the upper portion of the partition wall construction is defined by the cornice 16. Cornice 16 may be an extruded member formed of aluminum or other suitable material, and is provided with a pair of-outer depending clamp portions 50 between which are disposed a pair of inner spaced depending clamp portions 52, each of the latter having an angularly'disposed terminal edge portion 54 to facilitate insertion of a member 20 between corresponding clamp portions 52 and 50. Longitudinal passageways 51 are arranged along the upper corner portions of the cornice and aid alignment of adjacent cornice sections in conjunction with cooperating pin means insertable therein (not shown).

It should be noted that depending clamp portions 52 may serve to engage an elongate cylindrical member (not illustrated) of proper dimensions so as to be snugly receivable therebetween; such member will serve to maintain the partition sections in alignment as 'well as reinforce the same against transverse forces. It should also be appreciated that a section of cornice 16 illustrated in FIG. 2 may also be disposed in a vertical plane so as to conceal exposed edges of the wallboard member, such as p in a doorway. In such a construction a reinforcing cylinder or other member could be arrng ed with the longitudinal axis thereof running along the vertical plane. In either construction the reinforcing member would readily snap into place between clamps 52.

The sectional view of FIG. 8 illustrates three glass panels 12 maintained in a vertical plane with the assistance of glazing channels 13 mounted on vertical glazing post 15. Support 17 which may be a hollow pipe as illustrated is snugly received within the post 15 and serves to reinforce same. Post 15 may bean integral member or in two or more parts as illustrated. A plurality of supports 17 which are anchoredin the floor and which may extend to and be anchored in the ceiling are disposed throughout the partition construction of FIG. 1 and greatly assist the structural soundness thereof.

In accordance with this invention, in the construction of the hollow wall portion 18 of 'the'partition 10, the normal interval between the inner surfaces of opposed members 20, is determined by H-studs 28 and is identified in FIG. 2 by the interval A, which, in this instance, is slightly less than the width of the web portion'36 of floor runner 34. This slight differential is effected by forming the hollow wall 18 in such manner that the Width'of the H-stud web 30 is slightly less than the combined normal length defined by the runner web 36 and the thicknesses As a result of such dimensional relationship the lower edge portions of the wallboard members 20, which project beyondthe lower end limit of the stud, will be flexed outwardly a slight amount by reason of runner web 36 and, thus, the exposed surface of each wallboard member adjacent the lower edge of the partition will not be in coplanar relation with the central vertical portion of the wallboard members engaged by the stud 28. Furthermore, this dimentions define the 25 1 sional differential between stud web 30 and runner web 36 will cause the members 20 to firmly engage corners 56 of the floor runner 34, and thus assure a rattle-free, sturdy hollow wall construction.

Similarly, the interval between the offset lower edges 58 of the cornice clamp'portions 50, which contact the exposed surfaces of members 20, with slightly less than the normal interval between the outer exposed surfaces of members 20 etfected by stud 28 this interval is identified in FIG. 2 by the letter B. The interval between the offset edges 58 of the cornice clamp portions is identified by the letter C in FIG. 2; Accordingly, cornice 16 will be fabricated with the interval C slightly less than the normal interval B between the exposed surface of centralvertical' portions of thewallboard members engaged by stud 28, whereupon the upper edge portions of the wallboard members, which project beyond the upper end'of [stud '28,"will flex inwardlya slight amount and thus cause the exposed surfaces of the upper edge portions 'ot the members not to be in coplanar relation with the remainder of the exposed surfaces, the spacing between corresponding clampportions 50 and 52 permit flexing of member upper edge portions. Such outer panel poropposed surfaces of the illustrated hollow wall'18. In certain instances, the interval between the cornice 'clamp'portions 52' may be slightly greater than interval A and interval C greater than'interval B, whereupon the upper edge portions of the members 20 will flex outwardly instead of inwardly; In either case, a tight rattlefree engagement between the cornice 16 and upper terminal portions of wallboards '20 is effected.

In view of the clamping engagement between terminal portions of the depending clamp members 50 of the cornice andthe engaged wall panels 20, depending clamp portions 52 rnay not be essential so that the modified cornice 16a,"illustrated in FIG. 5, may be employed to equal advantage. In FIG. 5 the interval between the offset lower edges of depending clamp portions 50a is slightly less than the normal interval B between the outer surterval defined by the wallboard engaging portions of the i an inch will provide a rattle-free construction.

FIGS. 3 and 6 illustrate partition'wall constructions which extend from' floor F to ceiling S. Floor runner 34a of FIGS. 3 and 6 may be precisely the same as that previously described in the discussion of FIG. 2. Ceiling runner 60, however, in FIG. 6, is quite different from the cornice construction 16 and comprises an elongate web portion 62 to which is secured converging wall portions 64. Elongate strip portions 66 are in turn formed integrally with wall portions 64 and are also formed integrally with terminal converging portions 68 which complete the ceiling runner construction.

The width of web portion 36a of the floor runner 34a is slightly greater than the interval A illustrated in FIG.

in the above discussion of FIG. 2.

In view of the size relationship between the width of floor runner web 36a and the interval A the same tight I abutting relationship will be eflected at corner portions '56:; of the floor runner 34a of FIG. 6 as is effected in the aoasgeoe construction of FIG. 2 and the outward flexing of the lower edge portions of the wallboard members will result.

The ceiling runner 60 may have its web portion 62 of precisely the same width as the panel interval A in FIG. 6. A tight clamping engagement will be eflected between runner 60 and wallboards 21 since the straight line interval between corners 7% of ceiling runner 6t) and a vertical plane touching the distal edge of the adjacent converging strip 68 is less than the thickness of the wallboard 21 engaged thereby. It of course follows that the interval between the distal ends of strips 63 is less than the normal interval between the outer surfaces of wallboards 21 and thus, inward flexing of the upper portions of the wallboards between corners 70 and edges 68 will occur.

The enlarged sectional view of FIG. 3 illustrates a partition construction similar to that of FIG. 6. The partition of FIG. 3, however, employs a modified ceiling runner 67 secured to ceiling S by means of nails 69 or other equivalent means. Runner 67 comprises a channellike member having a web portion 71 interconnecting opposed converging strip portions 73. To insure a desired clamping engagement with wall boards 21, the interval between the distal ends of strip portions 73 is slightly less than the normal interval between the outer surfaces of the central vertical portions of the wallboard which interlock with floating H-studs 28b. The illustrated exaggerated distortion of the upper portion of the engaged wallboards 21 depicts clamp-like engagement between runner 67 and the flexed wallboard upper edge portion interposed therebetween. The inward flexing of the wallboard upper edge portions is eifected by reason of the fact that the upper edge of stud 28b terminates a substantial distance below runner 67, as is clearly seen in FIG. 3.

Similarly, at the bottom of the illustrated partition wall of FIG. 3 the web 36a of the floor runner 34a, which is precisely the same as that of FIGS. 2 and 6, is illustrated as being of greater width than the normal spacing between the inner surfaces of the central vertical portions of opposed members 21 engaged by the H-studs 2812.

FIG. 3 depicts an outward distortion of the lower edge portions of members 21 where the same engage corners 56a of the floor runner. Such distortions or flexing of the wallboards and the resulting rattle-free engagements between the wallboards and runners are of course also eifected in the constructions of FIGS. 2, 4 and 5.

It is seen, therefore, that a construction has been provided which is particularly adapted for non-load-bearing partitions which enables a sturdy, rattle-free partition to be rapidly erected without the need of employing a plurality of discrete securing means. The provided construction may also obviously be readily disassembled. Securing means are not necessary for purposes of securing the panel members of the partition to a supporting stud interposed between such panels. In view of the absence of such securing means no finishing operations are necessary, as when such means are employed, to cover the same or the depressions made thereby so as to assure a desired smooth wall surface.

As will be noted from the various views in the drawings, the H-stud members may terminate adjacent to, but spaced from, the floor runner or cornice member engaging the terminal portions of the panel members which are employed in the partition. It is suggested that the H-studs terminate at a distance of approximately six inches from a cornice or runner member.

It is feasible that two discrete wallboards having relieved edge portions may be substituted for each laminated wallboard 29 or 21 above described and the resulting construction will also be sturdy and rattle-free.

The above discussed partition construction in addition to providing the advantages set forth is simple in nature and accordingly reduces the cost of manufacture and construction.

This invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A partition construction comprising wallboards arranged in spaced, substantially parallel relation, each wallboard having upper and lower edge portions and a central portion, substantially horizontally disposed runner means arranged in spaced, vertically aligned relation and contacting faces of said wallboards at said upper and lower edge portions, and an upright floating stud means disposed intermediate said runner means, the length of said stud means being substantially less than the height of said partition and having the opposite ends of said stud means spaced from each of said runner means; said stud means having opposed, substantially parallel flange portions interlockingly engaging side edge portions of said wallboard central portions, and a web portion interconnecting said flange portions, the distance between the wallboard-face-contacting portions of each runner means being difierent than the distance between the contacted faces of said wallboards at their central portions whereby to flex the upper and lower edge portions of said wallboards.

2. In a hollow wall partition extending partway between a floor and ceiling, the combination comprising parallel courses of wallboards in edge-to-edge relation and defining spaced surfaces of said partition, said wallboard abutting edges being slotted, floating stud means of H-shaped cross-sectional configuration, having flange portions transversely disposed to an interconnecting web portion, said stud means flange portions interlockingly engaging said wallboard slotted edges, the length of said stud means being substantially less than. the height of said partition whereby the upper and lower edge portions of said wallboards project a substantial distance beyond the end limits of said stud means, and cornice means engaging the upper projecting edge portions of said wallboard, said cornice means having a central portion and spaced outer portions depending from said central portion, the spacing between the distal ends of said cornice means outer portions being less than the normal spacing between the outer surfaces of said wallboard engaged by said stud means and eflecting flexing of the upper projecting wallboard edge portions toward one another.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,951,778 Snead Mar. 20, 1934 2,154,520 Mackin Apr. 18, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 500,149 Canada Feb. 23, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3 ,027 605 Apri 1 3 ;""-19'62 Nels Nelsson It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that theeaid Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1 line 43, for "a ear" read a ear 0 3, line 42, for "arrnged" read arranged column .l 14, for "surface" read surfaces line 44, for "position" read partition line 52 for "1/32" read 1/32nd column 5, line 22, for "wall boards" read wallboards line 25, for "wallboard" read wallboards line 28 after "depicts" insert the Signed and rsealed this 4th day of September 1962.,

(SEAL) Attest:

DAVID L. LADD ERNEST W. SWIDER 

